and which they have introduced, though they have no basis in Allah’s scriptures. Thus, these people are among those “who dispute Allah’s signs without any authority having come to them” [Ghāfir 35]. For that authority is Allah’s Book; whoever disputes without authority from Allah is among those whom Allah has condemned in the Book. Allah Most High says:

“Those who dispute Allah’s signs without any authority having come to them—how hateful that is to Allah and to those who believe! Thus does Allah seal every heart belonging to an arrogant tyrant.” {35}
[Ghāfir 35]

He Most High says:

“Those who dispute Allah’s signs without any authority having come to them have nothing in their hearts but an arrogant desire for greatness that they will never attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” {56}
[Ghāfir 56]

Once the meanings of these ambiguous expressions are examined and their different senses distinguished, the ambiguity in their argument disappears, and it becomes clear that their argument is invalid—even if these people are among those of whom Allah Most High says:

“Yet they dispute about Allah, while He is mighty in His power.” {13}
[al-Ra‘d 13]

He Most High also says:

“Or He may destroy them for what they have earned—though He pardons much—{34} and so that those who dispute Our signs may know that they have no escape.” {35}
[al-Shūrā 34–35]